Ghost from the past

April 11th, which is coming up marks the day that Grandpa passed away last year.  It was 75 days after my Grandmother passed that he joined her.  I can only imagine the reunion that they had in heaven being able to have full use of their respective bodies and not be in pain anymore.  Last week I got a surprise package in the mail and noticed the returned address was from my Uncle in Washington.  I opened it up immediately having no clue what was inside.  When I opened it up my heart started pounding and I started getting that familiar lump in my throat...the one I always try to suppress when I'm starting to get emotional and this is what I found.

To some this may seem odd but to me it's beautiful!  Let me explain.  Years before my grandmother passed she was slowly giving things away.  I was the recipient of a lot of her yarn because she knew I crocheted.  I made good use of the extra yarn by making hats for the kids and scarves.  She had this particular yarn that she wanted to hang on to because she had started a project that she wanted to finish.  Knowing how fast my Grandma's health was declining I feared that she would never be able to accomplish what she wanted to finish so I asked for the pattern at least.  I wanted to make one for her on my own but with having babies back to back that didn't end up happening.  It's a rainbow blanket or also referred to as a promise blanket.  She got a good amount of the base of the blanket done but was never able to complete it.  How on earth my Uncle knew that I would be able to do it is beyond me but I'll work her panels into the blanket.  I've been crocheting my whole life and have nothing to show for it because I ALWAYS give my work away.  I've never kept any of my blankets.  I think this may be one that I will have to hold on to.

Other news of the week, my dear sweet Macey face got her first piggies put in and I think by the smile on her face you can tell that she liked them.  I prepped her to say to everyone she saw that she was cute.  In her little whisper voice that's exactly what she did saying, "I Cute".  Isn't she just beautiful!!!!

Lots of Thinking

We got back from the funeral last night and it was a good service. The service at the cemetery however was very moving. Three soldiers honored my grandfather for his service in World War II. A soldier on the hill played taps as they wrapped the flag to give to my Uncle. It was just wonderful.

One thing out of the whole day though has struck a chord. During the service Grandpa's loving Bishop gave some last words and showed the character of my Grandpa more than anything. The last day Grandpa was here his Bishop visited him at the hospital. He took his hand and asked, "Bro. Wickard, are you current temple recommend holder" and he replied "yes Bishop". Then he asked if he had kept his covenants he had made in the temple and Grandpa replied Yes I have. His last question to him was do you feel like you've accomplished everything you were set out to do on this earth and his reply was yes I'm ready to go home. He passed a few hours later.

I've had a lot of thoughts go through my head coming home that night. Most that I'll keep to myself but I'll share one thing. Grandpa and Grandma had a lot of things that they had left behind and more than ever the phrase you can't take it with you to the next life rang louder than ever and took on a whole new meaning. But the way you treat people, the way you live your life, the knowledge that you gain and the love you have for one another are eternal. My heart is saddened that I don't think some of my family has come to recognize that yet. Death can either bring out the best or worst in families. Family is the most important thing on this earth and it takes work to build those relationships and to nurture them.

I am thankful for Grandparents that new that and recognized it and cherished their family even though sometimes they didn't get that same respect in return. I sometimes wonder if I'll be able to fulfill all the responsibilities I have on this earth to accomplish. There is a bigger picture out there...sometimes we get so wrapped in problems, anguish, trials that we can't see the wonderful things around us and we take our daily lives for granted. We take the relationships we have for granted. Life is a gift and I hope all of us can use each day to celebrate that. Sometimes we just need to be reminded.

Grandpa Wickard

I knew it wouldn't be long after Grandma passed that Grandpa would follow but I didn't think it would be this fast. Within a matter of a few hours I got the call he was in the hospital and not long after passed away. Grandpa had been on my mind all week and he's finally home with my Grandmother. He missed her terribly and told my Uncle he just wanted to be with his wife again. I feel like in a matter a few months I have lost both my 'parents'. Both of them were such a strong force in my life and miss them so much. A few weeks back I was thinking and realized my Grandpa was a bigger part of my life than I realized. Growing up he was called as a branch president of a special ward in our area which we attended. I was turning eight and had the opportunity to have my Grandpa interview me for baptism. He let me come over and mow his lawn during the summer. He had a specific way of doing it and would outline the lawn for me and I would fill in the rest. He always had a beautiful vegetable and flower garden. He loved making things beautiful. I was amazed at his knowledge of flowers. Grandpa served in the WWII and I was one of the few that he would share stories with me. He showed me his uniform, Nazi coins, old pistols, German camera. He was a very giving man and was always thinking of others. He would silently do acts of service that no one would know about. I would force him to give me hugs and always told him I loved him. His reply would be yep. In the last few months he let me know how much he loved Matt and I. He had these cool multi-color suspenders that I remember from 20 years back that he still wore today. I'm going to miss him. He's reunited with his sweetheart and not restricted anymore from his ailing body.